“Narcolepsy takes your world and sort of flips it upside down.” – Scott

Living Every Day With Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy symptoms are not always obvious but can have a big impact on day-to-day life.

Narcolepsy and its impact are often misunderstood. Some movies and TV shows portray narcolepsy in a humorous way. But narcolepsy is a serious disorder that can have a big impact on a person’s life. Even less obvious symptoms can be significant, and people living with the disorder can feel isolated, lose confidence, or feel depressed.

At School or Work

Sleepiness may cause people to have poor memory and difficulty concentrating. Because of this, they may not advance in their careers as quickly as they like, and may risk getting fired for poor performance. Staying awake or alert through meetings or class may be a struggle, and talking about symptoms to employers or teachers is not always easy.

Daily Activities

People living with narcolepsy can feel limited every day by their symptoms, whether they are afraid to drive or even bathe alone for fear of having a cataplexy attack or falling asleep. One in two people with cataplexy may experience injury as a result of an attack.

With Family and Friends

People with narcolepsy may be perceived as lazy or bored due to sleepiness. They may be embarrassed or unable to attend social engagements because they are tired. Cataplexy can cause people to avoid social situations and emotional conversations that might trigger attacks. They may have learned to hold back feelings to control their cataplexy, which can cause emotional withdrawal and social difficulty.